Covid 19 Holyoke Weekend Report 6/6 & 6/7

Since mid-April, the 7-day average for the positive COVID-19 test rate is down 82 percent, the 3-day average of hospitalized patients is down 55 percent, and the number of hospitals in surge is down 76 percent.

Consistent with this data, the Governor has declared that Phase 2: Cautious will begin Monday, June 8 in Massachusetts. As with Phase 1, it will take place in two steps.

On June 8 the following will open:

• Restaurants will be allowed to serve outdoor seating only. View the full sector-specific guidelines here.
• Lodging operations will open, but ballrooms, meeting rooms, function halls, and all other indoor or outdoor event facilities must remain closed. Lodging operators are not permitted to host weddings, business events, or other organized gatherings of any kind. View the full sector-specific guidelines here.
• Retail with occupancy limits
• Childcare facilities, Day Camps, and Municipal recreation programs. Childcare Provider Reopening Order
• Amateur Youth and Adult Sports
• Routine Medical Appointments and Procedures
• Outdoor Recreation Facilities
• Professional sports practices, no games or public admissions
• Warehouses and Distribution Centers
• Personal services without close physical contact, such as home cleaning, photography, window washing, career coaching and education tutoring
• Post-secondary, higher education, vocational-tech and occupation schools for the purpose of completing graduation requirements
• HOV Lanes
• Non-athletic youth instructional classes in arts, education or life skills and in groups of less than 10
• Driving and flight schools
• Outdoor historical spaces, no functions, gatherings or guided tours
• Funeral homes, with occupancy limits

Read the full guidance here

Click here for Governor Baker’s Phase II Executive Order

Click here for Governor Baker’s Revised Gatherings Executive Order

Holyoke has prepared guidance for local restaurants who wish to open outdoor seating as part of Phase 2: https://www.holyoke.org/governor-baker-to-announce-the-starting-date-of-phase-2-of-the-states-reopening-plan/

Massachusetts comprehensive daily “dashboard” illustrating the spread of this virus across regions and demographics: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-june-7-2020/download

Testing has a turnaround time of 1 – 4 days and many cases are being clinically diagnosed (no testing or reporting involved). All are advised to behave as though they are carriers of Covid-19.

870 Holyoke residents have been confirmed positive by testing.

6,337 confirmed cases in Hampden County (<1% increase)
904 in Hampshire (<1% increase)
338 in Franklin (<1% increase)
573 in Berkshire county (<1% increase)

The curve we need to flatten: County numbers graphed over time can be found here: https://www.wmasscovid.com/

Massachusetts has now experienced a total of 7,289 deaths connected to Covid-19. *Massachusetts is now reporting “probable” Covid-19 deaths in addition to confirmed cases. 

Mass website featuring all Covid-19 testing sites: www.mass.gov/covid-testmap

Please be advised that you may be contacted by Public Health officials as part of the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has tested positive, you may receive a call from your local Board of Health or from the MA Department of Public Health. The call will only take a few minutes and is a necessary step to limit the spread of the virus. Your information will not be shared with any other agencies and these officials will never ask for your social security number or health insurance information. If you have any questions about a call you received, contact us at coronaresponse@holyoke.org